I like Ike

[xoxoxoBruce]

Most people are aware of part of Ike's farewell address on Jan 17th 1961.
I hadn't realized he gave us two warnings.

But threats, new in kind or degree, constantly arise. Of these, I mention two only.

The first, about the Military-Industrial complex has been quoted so many times everyone must has heard/read it by now.

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.

Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite.

Hmm, public policy set by the techie elite. Nah, that couldn't happen.
The second warning hasn't been heard as much and certainly not heeded.

Another factor in maintaining balance involves the element of time. As we peer into society's future, we -- you and I, and our government -- must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering for our own ease and convenience the precious resources of tomorrow. We cannot mortgage the material assets of our grandchildren without risking the loss also of their political and spiritual heritage. We want democracy to survive for all generations to come, not to become the insolvent phantom of tomorrow.

Maybe because it's not in the best interest of the "scientific-technological elite".